by N. C. Hayes
“It’s starting,” she said. I started to look up, but she stopped me. “Wait. You’ll fry your eyes out of your skull.”
A moment passed, and I noticed everyone looking at each other with large grins, or at the ground watching the shadows form and the sky grow darker. “You can look now,” Aydan’s voice said from behind me. Though his lips nearly grazed my ear, I didn’t turn, instead looking up toward the sun, only to see the dark moon sitting in front of it. “It’s safe for a few moments. Ehnara and Lehrun’s stolen kiss, and then they must part.”
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
I thought I felt his hand brush mine lightly, but as soon as I looked, Aydan was walking away to join his grandparents. I turned back to the sky, but those around me were already averting their eyes. And then it was over. The moon passed over the sun and the gods would have to wait, apart, for the next opportunity for their moment alone. The crowd cheered, and Aydan stepped forward.
“My friends,” he said once they had all quieted. “I am delighted to be here with you. At such a time of great change, it is a comfort to know that the traditions of home are waiting. There is much to look forward to, and much prosperity to come between Sylvanna and the Crown—” Aydan stopped abruptly and glanced down. My attention, and everyone else’s, landed on a small girl, perhaps no older than four, tugging on Aydan’s pant leg. A gasp, and a wide-eyed woman, who I assumed to be her mother, rushed forward. Aydan looked surprised, but smiled warmly and raised a hand, saying something quietly to the woman. He knelt before the little girl, who leaned in and whispered in his ear, then held up a crown of daisies from the field. Aydan removed his golden rose crown and bowed his head for her to place the daisies there. The girl’s smile was infectious. A chuckle rippled through the crowd as Aydan led the girl by the hand back her mother, who curtsied. He smiled, then winked at the girl, who giggled and hid her face in her mother’s skirt. He turned back to the crowd. “Let the feast begin.” He grinned.
Solandis and Priamos effuged away, as did half of the crowd. The rest of us began a slow stroll away from the temples and toward an enormous wall made of shrubbery. Hannele held Alastair’s arm, the two of them walking a few paces ahead, while Gerridan offered each of his arms to Kenna and me.
Behind us Aydan walked with the girl and her mother, smiling and chatting away merrily.
“Who is that woman talking with Aydan?” I asked Gerridan. He glanced back.
“That would be Lady Reyna Hazelwren,” he said. “Haven’t seen her in a while.”
“You know her?”
“I know everyone, darling,” Gerridan corrected.
Kenna sighed and offered, “Aydan was supposed to marry Lady Reyna years ago.” My hands grew hot.
“Easy,” Gerridan said, patting the top of one.
“Is she one of the, uh, broken courtships I’ve heard about?”
Kenna laughed. “The Wayward Prince’s reputation still lingers, then? Fantastic. He’ll love that.” I didn’t smile. “Solandis and Lord Hazelwren pushed for the match. They agreed to the engagement, accepted the arrangement for a while, but neither of them were interested. Lady Reyna eloped with a mortal soldier. He died while she was with child. Poor thing.” I resisted the urge to glance back once again as we arrived at the shrubbery wall.
A portion of it now lay open, as if an invisible hand had pushed and created the perfect gate for the crowd to file through. Once we were in, I gasped at the sight of what was before me: the Grand Palace of Sylvanna.
The Grand Palace of Sylvanna was twin to the one in Nautia, and Gerridan once told me during one of our early lessons that they’d been built by the same architect five thousand years ago, at the start of the Aevitarus Dynasty, to house a family of princes—Hannele’s ancestors—who would rule over the western territory in the king’s name. Apparently, they were built with such precision that one could walk in a straight line from the front gate of one and eventually reach the front gate of the other in two months’ time.
The gardens surrounding the palace were magnificent, and as the sun set, white, luminescent flowers began to open, revealing a soft glow. They illuminated the other flowers surrounding them, most notably the striking deep red Sylvannian roses. The grounds were an endless sea of green, interrupted only by more shrubs forming paths throughout. Vines grew up the sides of the palace, the same glowing flowers scattered along them.
We followed the crowd inside to the great hall, which was lavishly decorated and lit with endless floating orbs of light. Tables of food were spread out, with people already eating and drinking around them. The three of us joined Hannele and Alastair at a table. They all filled their plates and began to eat, laughing and talking. I picked at my plate; my stomach was in knots. I wanted to find Aydan but felt terrified at the thought of doing so. Kenna pressed a goblet of wine into my hand.
“Drink,” she said. “You look like you’re going to jump out of your skin.” I obliged.
“The dancing will start any minute,” Alastair said softly, leaning over so I could hear him. “Then you’ll have a better chance of talking to him. Right now he has to mingle.” I looked over to the head table where Aydan sat beside his grandparents, and saw that he was still talking with Lady Reyna. Solandis seemed to be chiming in here and there, smiling as she did so. A spark flew from my fingertip and landed on the tablecloth, causing a small flame to appear. Alastair smothered in with his napkin before it became a spectacle. “That’s one way to get his attention.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled. The roar of the crowd fell quiet, and everyone’s attention turned to Lady Solandis, who was standing. Her gown of sea-foam green complemented her brown skin and hugged her figure nicely, and was embellished with the same armor-like jewelry she had worn days before. The dress was cut similarly to Kenna’s, and nothing about the Lady’s appearance or stature gave any clue of her age—only her tattoos were a reminder to all who laid eyes upon her of her might and power.
“My friends,” Solandis greeted the hall. “In years past, my beloved husband has been kind enough to join me in the first dance of the evening. However, tonight marks a historic occasion. Our gracious King Aydan joins us for an eclipse, the first anointed king to celebrate with us.” Aydan gave his grandmother a small smile and a nod as scattered applause rang out. “Tonight, our king will open the dance floor with Lady Reyna Hazelwren.”
I forced myself to keep looking straight ahead, clapping as the rest of the hall did, though I could feel my friends’ eyes upon me. I fought to banish the heat rising in my hands, and surely in my face as I felt myself blush, as I watched Aydan take Reyna’s hand and lead her to the dance floor, leaving the child to sit patiently with Solandis and Priamos. They took position in the center of the great hall, his hand resting low on her waist, as the music started.
“It’s quite hot, isn’t it?” I said to no one in particular. “I think I’ll get some air.”
“I’ll go with you,” Alastair started.
“No need,” I lied, smiling stiffly at him. “I’ll be back in a moment. Just need to cool down . . . lots of excitement.” I stood quickly and slipped out the same way we’d entered, walking swiftly toward one of the illuminated shrub-lined paths. Smoke was coming off my hands as I rushed deeper into the darkness, away from prying eyes.
I forced myself to take a deep breath. Another. Aydan was dancing with Lady Reyna. His former fiancée. Neither of them wanted it, I reminded myself of Kenna’s words. A king dancing with a lady was hardly scandalous. Hardly a betrayal. There’s nothing to betray. He doesn’t belong to you.
More sparks, then my hands were completely engulfed in flames. My breath shuddered and, without thinking, I went to my knees and shoved my unruly hands into the soil, which softened at my touch. The cool earth felt safe on my hands, and slowly my breathing returned to normal. The fire settled back into my core, no longer fighting to reach the surface.
“Shaye.”
I practically jumped to my feet, brushing th
e dirt from my hands and turning to see Aydan walking toward me in the darkness. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“Oh, er, nothing,” I said unconvincingly. He raised an eyebrow. “My hands were sparking. I was putting them out,” I admitted.
“Is everything all right?”
“Oh, yes. Just a lot of excitement,” I lied again, peering behind him. “Is Lady Reyna with you?”
“No,” he replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Reyna was a bit mortified by dancing in front of the hall, and Calliope was ready for bed anyway.” I pressed my lips together, unsure of what to say next.
“She seems sweet,” I said. “Your new crown is lovely.” Aydan reached up to his head, realizing that he was indeed still wearing the crown of daisies. He chuckled a bit.
“She is,” he agreed. “I haven’t seen Calliope since she was a baby. Reyna took her to her family’s home on the eastern border shortly after she was born. They’re here visiting Charles’s parents and attending the festival at my grandmothers’ invitation.”
“Charles?”
“Calliope’s father,” Aydan explained. “He died shortly before she was due. A terrible accident in the sparring ring. He fell backward and hit his head on the brick barrier. He was dead before anyone could draw the breath to call a healer.”
“That’s terrible,” I said.
“It was. She always knew she’d have to face losing him one day, but she never considered it might be that soon. She was in a dark place the last time I saw her. It was good to see her in such high spirits tonight.”
“Kenna said you were meant to marry Lady Reyna,” I blurted before I could stop myself.
“We courted briefly, after succumbing to pressure from our families. We were technically engaged for a month before we both confessed that we had no romantic interest in one another.” Aydan chuckled. “My grandmother and her father desperately wanted the match. Her father disapproved of her interest in Charles. He believed it would end in her heartbreak. She told him she was dining with me the night she and Charles ran off to elope. About ten years ago now.” I nodded, looking at the ground, looking anywhere but his face, knowing I might completely unravel if I met his eyes.
“Well,” I said. “I, um, I’d better get back inside. I owe Gerridan a dance.” I curtsied and walked past him. I only made it a few paces before he spoke:
“Had I been allowed to court you,” he started. I stopped in my tracks, then turned to find an emotion like regret written on his face. “Had I been able to bring you to Sylvanna that first night we met, bring you to my home, and court you, I would have brought you to these gardens every night.” My heart was in my throat, and frost coated my hands once again. “You would have been able to spend your days reading and roaming, or training with Gerridan and Alastair if you wanted. You wouldn’t have been trapped in Ayzelle . . .” He clenched and unclenched his hand. “Shaye, I failed you in every way. I thought I protected you—I thought that the wards were strong enough, but they weren’t. You suffered because I couldn’t—”
“Aydan, stop.” I stepped forward. “You did everything that you possibly could have. And yes, I was still hurt. But that doesn’t mean you failed me.”
“I told you it would be two weeks,” he croaked, swallowing.
“There was nothing you could do.” I took another step toward him. “I’m not scared anymore, Aydan.” He looked down at me, emotion flooding his face as he recalled my words from a few days before.
“You look beautiful, by the way,” he said. “The dress suits you perfectly.”
“Thank you,” I replied, running my hand along the skirt. “It was a gift, from a dear friend with impeccable taste.” Aydan huffed a laugh, then offered me his hand.
My stomach swooped, and suddenly we were back in the Great Hall of Sylvanna. Music swelled around us, but not the orchestra of Ayzellen balls that I had grown accustomed to. This music was a combination of strings and beating drums, percussion instruments of all kinds, moving fast. The occupants of the hall spun and twirled—no practiced choreography to be found. Gerridan and Hannele, who were dancing with one another, waved me and Aydan over to join them. I hesitated half a second too long, as I felt a small push and found Kenna with her hand on my back, directing me toward the dance floor. When I glanced back at Aydan, I laughed when saw he was receiving the same treatment from Alastair, who looked to be joyfully drunk.
I danced with my friends—carefree, with no expectations—until well into the night. I paired off with each of them at one point or another, though, when a slower tune did finally start to play, I found myself dancing with Alastair, Aydan, or Kenna, as Gerridan and Hannele clung to each other. We danced and laughed and drank, until Kenna was well beyond her limit and had to hold tightly to Alastair to keep from falling over. Aydan effuged us all back to his house after bidding farewell to our hosts.
Hannele and Alastair helped Kenna up the stairs to her bedroom, while Gerridan trailed behind, then entered his own room. I saw Hannele’s attention turn at the sound of the door latching shut. Aydan and I remained downstairs.
“Join me for a nightcap?” he asked. I nodded, and he took my hand—frozen again—in his own, interlacing our fingers before leading me to a bedroom in the back of the house. He held the door for me and closed it behind him once we were inside. The room was large but simple. Mostly dark, with a small fire burning. There were some reading chairs with a small table holding glasses and a decanter on one end; the other end led to a bathroom. His enormous bed covered in bright white blankets and sheets sat upon a dark oak frame. Fit for a king.
Aydan poured me a glass of brandy, and I ignored the burn of it in my throat.
“You look beautiful,” he said for the second time that night.
“Thank you,” I replied. “You look quite handsome yourself.” He bowed his head. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He paused another minute, then asked, his voice tight:
“Did you have fun?”
“I did. Sylvanna knows how to throw a party,” I said. Aydan smiled.
“That they do.” His empty glass shook in his hand. He set it down and fiddled with his shirt sleeve. “Shaye, there’s something . . . I’ve wanted to tell you. For a long time now.”
“Oh?” was all I could think to say before I set my own glass down. I wasn’t sure I could stomach drinking anything else.
He finally choked out, “Since we met, I’ve had this . . . this urge to be near you. To keep you safe if I could. To make you happy. I’ve failed at many things in my life, but my worst failure, my biggest regret, was learning that I didn’t protect you, and worse—that I didn’t give you what you needed to protect yourself. I left you in Ayzelle, alone—”
“You didn’t have a choice,” I said hoarsely. “You didn’t fail me.”
“Still.”
“What is it you want to tell me?” I breathed. He stepped closer.
“I’ve wanted to tell you . . . since before.” Aydan’s breath mingled with mine. “Back when I was just the Wayward Prince. When I’m near you, I feel like my heart will burst. You are the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known, and I . . . I’ve been so afraid to tell you. I never wanted you to feel like . . . like you had to do or say anything because I’m the ki—” He choked. His eyes were brimmed with tears. “Gods. Shaye, I’m so in love with you,” he said softly as they spilled over. “You don’t have to say anything, I don’t expect—”
I closed the space between us and pressed a kiss to his mouth.
When I pulled away, Aydan’s eyes were wide with surprise. I brushed the tears from his cheek, even as I felt my own tears fall to my face. “I love you too, Aydan.”
He took my face in his hands and kissed me softly. Once. Twice. Then I found myself kissing him more deeply, more urgently. Closer, I had to be closer to him, feel him, be held by him. He moaned quietly into my mouth, and I thought I might catch fire—my palms burned with heat rising to the surface. I banished it, refusing t
o let the elements ruin this.
My hands explored his chest while his dug themselves into my hair. I pulled off his jacket, then tugged at the shirt beneath it, breaking the kiss to pull it up over his head. Aydan grabbed it and tossed it to the floor. I ran my hands over his chest, tracing the muscles from his neck to his stomach. He shivered when I traced a line below his navel, then put his hand on my chin, tilting my face toward him. “You’re sure?”
“Yes,” I breathed before I reached up, pulled his face down toward mine, and kissed him deeply once again.
Aydan began to tear at my clothes, reaching behind me to undo the laces of my gown until it fell to the floor. His breath hitched when he saw my naked body step out of the mass of fabric. Goosebumps pricked on my skin as he circled behind me and loosened the tiara from my hair. He leaned to press a line of kisses to my scarred back, and when he stood straight again, his hands warmed my arms, my shoulders, before making their way down my front, grazing my breasts with his fingertips. I heard myself whimper as he did so, eliciting a low moan from deep in his throat as he gripped them, dragging his thumbs lightly over the peaks. In an instant, Aydan slid an arm under my legs and scooped me up to carry me across the room. He shifted me and I felt the hardness of him press into my hip until he laid me down on the sea of blankets covering his bed. He took half a step back, staring at me. To my surprise, I didn’t balk from his gaze.
“You are so beautiful,” he said, kneeling on the ground at the foot of the bed. He pressed a kiss to each of my ankles, then made his way up one of my calves before starting on the other. Higher. He took his time, kissing slowly up my thighs, alternating as he came closer to his destination. Higher. My breath was ragged, and I felt him smile against the inside of my thigh upon hearing the small whimper escape from my throat. Higher. He made his way to the hollow of my hip before passing the throbbing destination I’d hoped he would arrive at. Another grin against my stomach, just below my navel.
